Aggressive begging is illegal but, posting on our website, some readers say they have been taunted with abuse by people asking for money in the Avenues.

Carla said: “You can't even go in Sainsbury's without been asked for money... When I’m walking in the Town or The Avenues the last thing I want my kids to see is addicts staggering around the place and feeling intimidated.”

People are worried Princes Avenue is becoming a new hotspot for beggars (Image: Richard Addison)

Margaret, who lives in Newland Avenue, said: “I am absolutely sick of seeing these people begging. I don't even go out after 6pm cos when they approach you and you say no they just throw verbal abuse at you. I hate it round here now.”

The anger comes after the leader of one homeless charity accused beggars of meandering around Princes Avenue to target the “middle classes.”

In a poll on Hull Live, 91 per cent of readers said they think the street has become the new hotspot for begging and homelessness.

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Do you feel safe down Princes Avenue at night?

500+ VOTES SO FAR

And in another survey, 82 per cent of people said they do not feel safe down Princes Avenue at night.

Some readers had sympathy for the homeless and felt more should be done to try and help out these people struggling on the strets.

Lee said: “It’s always ‘how do we get rid of them?’ Never ‘how do we help them?’ Just such a shame how people think these days - hope you have the opportunity to find out what it's like been homeless one day.”

Others were more critical with one labelling Hull an “absolute disgrace.” Kirsty said: “Such a shame when so much money has been ploughed into it.

“In all fairness though I went to Manchester recently and our city centre is quite tame re to beggars/homeless compared to there. Totally shocked me. Not nice to see at the same time it’s just one of those things in most cities.”

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Homelessness in Hull

Rachael also noted that similar issues are noticeable down Holderness Road in east Hull.

She said: “They’re all over Hull, not just in one area - take a walk down Holderness Road! You can basically buy anything down there in broad day light! The police don't do a thing! This country needs a kick up the arse!”

'We can't solve homelessness by arresting people'

Chief Constable Lee Freeman said he wants to reassure people the force are "continuing to take action" to "improve things quickly" after numerous complaints about rough sleepers and drug users in Hull.

But he says he believes homelessness will not be solved by arresting people and states "dealing with root causes is the key".

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Do you think Princes Avenue has become the new hotspot for homelessness and begging?

1000+ VOTES SO FAR

Taking to Twitter, Mr Freeman said: "Homelessness is not solved by arresting people. We have been taking offenders to court, taking out Criminal Behaviour Orders and will continue to deal with antisocial behaviour (ASB) and drugs. But yes more to do."

"The serious point remains that the issues are complex social issues that require a joint partnership approach as the causes are not simple.

"We have been arresting for begging, drugs, and ASB and will continue to step this up. But if people back the next day, dealing with causes is the key."

Princes Avenue (Image: Jack Harland)

In relation to Princes Avenue, Inspector Craig Mattinson says the issues presented by rough sleepers are complex and that homeless people may need long term support.

He said: “This isn't solely a policing issue. We continually work hard alongside our partner agencies, including Hull City Council, to help vulnerable people get the appropriate support they need.